CEO’s Seduction Trap

Keith didn’t stay long at Darren’s. He left after half an hour.

Hearing the door close, Elsa emerged from the bedroom. She glanced at the closed door, crossed her arms, and sneered, “He left?”

“Yeah, he’s gone.”

Elsa scoffed, “What a shameless guy.”

Darren was lost in thought and didn’t respond.

Noticing his distraction, Elsa walked over and grabbed his ear, “Spill it. What were you two talking about?”

Darren winced in pain, “Nothing much, you guessed it before he even got here. Just that money.”

“You were shouting so loud. Do you think I’m deaf?”

Darren scowled and pushed her away, “Stay out of this.”

Elsa fumed, “Darren, we’ve been married for over thirty years. Is there anything I shouldn’t know?”

Darren was usually afraid of Elsa, but this time he was tight-lipped, “Knowing this won’t do you any good.”

With that, Darren stood up and went back to the bedroom.

Elsa followed him, trying to press for more information, but Darren locked the bedroom door.

Unable to open the door, Elsa stood outside and threw a fit.

Lying on the bed, Darren tried to close his eyes for a nap. But as soon as he did, he saw a bloody face. He snapped his eyes open, his palms damp with sweat.

Meanwhile, Keith, having gone downstairs, pulled a cap from his pocket and put it on, followed by a mask. He glanced around to ensure no one was watching, then quickly walked to the road to hail a cab.

As soon as Keith got into the cab, a bodyguard in a black SUV parked around the corner made a call.

When the call connected, the bodyguard said respectfully, “Boss, he got into a cab and seems to be leaving Yort City.”

Mason replied calmly, “Follow him. Keep a close watch.”

The bodyguard answered, “Understood.”

As Mason ended the call, he met Leila’s questioning gaze.

He didn’t hide anything, placing his phone down and serving her a bowl of soup. “Your dad left your uncle’s place and got into a cab.”

Leila looked at the soup Mason placed before her and took a deep breath, “Why are you having him followed?”

Mason looked at her steadily, “I suspect he’s connected to my kidnapping years ago.”

“You mean…”

Seeing Leila’s thoughts wander, Mason chuckled, “Relax, he didn’t have the capability. I just suspect…”

Leila smiled and finished his sentence, “You suspect he took money from the kidnappers?”

“It’s just a hunch.”

Leila thought about how Mason lost his closest brother in that kidnapping. “Mason…”

“Leila, life is short. Enjoy it while you can.”

Leila understood the subtext. He was telling her not to press further.

After dinner, Leila washed dishes in the kitchen while Mason took another call from the bodyguard in the living room.

“Boss, Keith has been taken.”

Mason lounged on the couch, his expression unreadable, “By whom?”

The bodyguard replied, “We don’t know. The license plate on their car was fake.”

“Where was he taken from?”

The bodyguard explained, “On the way to the airport. They blocked the cab and dragged him out.”

The bodyguard paused, seeing that Mason wasn’t responding, then asked proactively, “Should we retrieve him?”

“No need.”

“Should we continue following them?”

Mason’s voice was low and steady, “How’s their counter-surveillance awareness?”

The bodyguard answered honestly, “Pretty strong. I’m about seventy percent sure they won’t notice us.”

“Then try to follow. If they suspect you’re tailing them, back off immediately. Don’t alert them.”

“Understood.”

After hanging up, Mason pressed the phone against his chin, looking toward the kitchen.

Under the dim kitchen light, Leila was washing dishes, her head bowed. She wore a cream-colored nightgown, with a few loose strands of hair falling by her ears, making her look particularly gentle.

Mason’s eyes showed a restrained and hidden possessiveness.

When Leila finished and walked out, Mason moved toward her.

Their eyes met, and Mason wrapped her in his arms. “Leila.”

“Yeah?”

Mason’s voice was deep, “You are you, your dad is your dad. Besides, everything is still uncertain.”

Leila’s breath caught, and she said nothing.

Mason chuckled, “I can see it. You’re afraid there’s a grudge between us.”

Leila, “…”

Mason continued, “Since you’re so scared, why not be nice to me now? If we ever find out there’s really a deep-seated hatred between us, at least we would have had some good times.”

Leila didn’t say a word in response to Mason’s remarks, but her actions showed a noticeable shift.

For instance, when Mason held her that night, she didn’t pull away.

And when Mason’s hand wandered under her nightgown, she didn’t stop him.

Noticing her change, Mason couldn’t help but laugh. He flipped over, pressing down on her, burying his face in her neck. “Leila, you’re so cute. Think about it-when your dad went bankrupt, all he wanted was to escape. What role could he play in a kidnapping?”

Hearing Mason’s words, Leila suddenly realized she’d been duped. Flustered, she tried to knee him in the stomach to push him off.

Mason pinned her legs with his thigh, propping himself up to look into her eyes. “Still won’t admit you like me?”

Leila’s cheeks flushed, “Mason…”

Mason teased, “I should have scared you a few more days until you face your true feelings.”

Leila, “…”

That night, Leila didn’t sleep well.

She couldn’t explain her thoughts-they were scattered and disorganized, like a movie playing random scenes in her head.

The only thing she was sure of was that every scene involved Mason.

Just before dawn, Leila finally managed to get some sleep.

But she hadn’t slept long when Mason’s phone rang on the nightstand, waking her up.

Mason reached for the phone and answered, his voice still lazy from sleep, “Yes?”

The person on the other end said, “Boss, Mr. Omar is in Yort City.”

The bodyguard’s words instantly dispelled Mason’s drowsiness.

“Where is he?”

The bodyguard said, “At the place where Keith was held.”

Mason’s voice was cold, “Keep him under surveillance, I’ll be there soon.”

“Got it.”

After hanging up, Mason put down his phone and was about to get up when he noticed a gaze beside him. “Did I wake you?”

“My dad’s been kidnapped?”

Seeing Leila’s serious expression, Mason was silent for a few seconds, but eventually didn’t lie, “Yes.”

Leila said, “I want to go with you.”

“It’s not as simple as you think, their methods…”

“Mason.” Before Mason could finish, Leila interrupted, “With you there, what do I have to fear?”

Mason chuckled, reaching to pinch her chin, “Leila, you really stop at nothing to get what you want.”

Leila tilted her neck slightly, “And have I gotten what I want?”

Mason locked eyes with her, “If Omar asks who you are, what will you say?”

“The truth. Your girlfriend.”

Mason tightened his grip on her chin, “Leila, I’ve had countless rumors around me. Do you think being called a girlfriend will protect you?”

“Then what should I say, what’s my identity?”

“Fiancee.”

Leila fell silent.

“If you don’t say it like that, don’t come with me. I don’t want to see you at the funeral home in a few days because of this trip.”

Mason’s expression was serious, no hint of falsehood.

Leila stared at his expression for a while, and reluctantly agreed, “Fine, I’ll do as you say.”

As Leila spoke, Mason released her chin, turned to dress, “Going to freshen up.”

Leila got up quickly, “Mm.”

Leila stepped out of the bedroom, not seeing Mason fastening his shirt buttons, revealing a satisfied smile.

Twenty minutes later, in the car.

On the way, Mason called the bodyguard to check on the situation.

The bodyguard responded, “Everything’s normal. Mr. Omar just went in a while ago.”Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

“Mm.”

Ending the call, Mason looked at Leila beside him, squeezed her hand and said, “He’s okay, don’t worry.”

Leila stared at their hands clasped together, absent-mindedly responding, “Mm, as long as he’s okay.”

Mason chuckled lightly, “Seems like you’re not too concerned about whether he lives or dies.”

Leila looked up at Mason and admitted honestly, “I care. It’s just complicated emotionally.”

“Don’t overthink it. Blood relations, even if you hated him while he was alive, if he really dies, you’ll still feel sad.”

“You’re very insightful.”

When the car arrived at the address provided by the bodyguard, it was already two hours later. The destination was a villa in the outskirts. As they got out of the car, a bodyguard quickly approached Mason and asked, “Boss, should we accompany you inside?”

“No need. You guys stay outside. I’m just visiting, not getting into a fight.”

“Got it.”

Mason led Leila into the villa. Just as they entered, a bodyguard blocked their path.

“Who are you? This isn’t a place for you to come. Leave immediately.”

Before the guard could finish speaking, Mason swiftly kicked him in the abdomen.

The guard hadn’t expected Mason to strike so suddenly and was thrown back over a meter. As he recovered to shout for help, Mason walked up to him and asked coldly, “Where’s Omar?”